Student Visa

The Student Visa Subclass 500 is a temporary visa designed for individuals wishing to study in an eligible program or engage in research in Australia. This visa allows international students to reside in Australia for up to 5 years while pursuing full-time study at an accredited educational institution. Eligible programs of study may include ELICOS, vocational education and training, higher education, or research programs.

With this visa, applicants can:

Enrol in an eligible course of study.
Include their family members, such as their partner or dependent child, in their application.
Work for up to 48 hours every two-week period once their course commences. Please note that the student visa work hour limit was increased from 40 hours to 48 hours per fortnight starting from July 1, 2023.
Travel in and out of Australia.

The specific criteria for this visa will vary based on the degree of risk attributed to the application, known as the ‘Immigration Risk.’ This assessment is determined by considering both the risk rating of the educational institution and the applicant’s passport nationality.

Requirements

English Language Requirements

The minimum test score required for meeting the English proficiency requirement has been raised from International English Language Testing System (IELTS) 5.5 to 6.0 (or its equivalent).
The minimum score necessary to enrol in a packaged English Language Intensive Course for Overseas Students (ELICOS) has increased from IELTS 4.5 to 5.0 (or its equivalent).
Students enrolling in recognized university foundation or pathway programs, which provide credible English language instruction, must attain a minimum score of IELTS 5.5 (or its equivalent). These accredited programs will be listed on the Department’s official website.
There will be no alterations for students exclusively studying English through ELICOS programs.

Visa Applicant Requirements

Enrol as a full-time student with an Australian educational institution and obtain written confirmation of this enrolment. Please note that predominantly online courses are not eligible.
Demonstrate a genuine intention to complete the specified period of study in Australia.
Meet the required level of English language proficiency, unless exempted.
Obtain Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for the duration of your intended stay in Australia.
Ensure access to sufficient funds to cover expenses including return airfares, tuition fees, cost of living in Australia, and any necessary costs for dependents included in your application.